Mangoes are a popular fruit that become widely available and taste especially good during an Indian summer. Mangoes grow on evergreen trees native to South Asia and are cultivated in many tropical regions worldwide.
The sweet, juicy mangoes are available in autumn markets. Their bright orange flesh and tropical flavour are perfect for the warm days of an Indian summer. People may eat fresh mangoes by themselves or add them to fruit salads. Mangoes are also used in chutneys, lassi, ice cream, and other desserts to take advantage of their sweetness before the winter.
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There are several good reasons why it is a wise idea to soak mangoes in water before eating them. This age-old tradition, practiced in many parts of the world where mangoes are grown, has stood the test of time due to the benefits it provides.
10 Reasons Why Should You Soak Mangoes In Water Before Eating
Clean The Fruit
Mangoes often get dirty before they reach the store. Bits of leaves or dirt can stick to the skin. As per the study by the National Library of Medicine, sometimes chemicals are sprayed on them when they grow. Washing mangoes before you eat them is a good idea. Putting them in water for a bit can help clean them. The water will rinse away any specks of dirt on the outside. It will also wash off any chemical sprays that were used in the field.
Soften Mangoes
Mangoes have tough, thick skin that can be hard to peel or cut. Before eating or cooking mangoes, you can soak them in water for a little while. This will soften the skin just enough to make it easier to handle the mango. Soaking mangoes in water is a simple trick that helps the skin become less stiff.
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Nutrient Absorption
Mangoes contain phytic acid, which can stop your body from taking in important nutrients like antioxidants, iron, and zinc. Phytic acid binds to these nutrients and prevents them from being absorbed. As per the study by the National Library of Medicine, this is not good because we need antioxidants to fight damage from free radicals, iron to make healthy blood, and zinc for immune health. Luckily, there is a simple solution. If you soak mangoes in water before eating them, it can lower the phytic acid. Soaking allows the phytic acid to dissolve in the water instead of staying on the mango.
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Prevent Dryness
Mangoes that are soaked in water for some time before eating or cooking keep more moisture inside. When mangoes sit for a long time after being picked, they start to dry out. The juicy flesh gets less juicy and the texture changes from soft to rubbery. Soaking mangoes in water helps prevent them from drying out. The water seeps into the mango flesh and replaces some of the natural moisture that was lost.
Sweetens The Fruit
When you soak a mango in water before eating it, the fruit absorbs some of the liquid. This makes the mango juicier and sweeter. The extra water seeps into the cells of the fruit. As the mango takes in more water, natural sugars are released from the cells. The sugars mix with the absorbed water to enhance the sweet taste.
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It Removes Pesticides And Insecticides
Soaking mangoes in water before eating them is an important step to remove harmful chemicals. Even mangoes labelled "organic" may contain pesticides and insecticides that were used on the trees or soil where they grew. According to research by the National Library of Medicine, when the mangoes grow, they absorb some of these toxic chemicals.
Soaking the mangoes in water helps release the chemicals so they do not end up in your body when you eat the fruit. This makes the mangoes safer to eat by reducing the amounts of chemicals that can cause problems like skin irritation, breathing issues, and cancer.
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It Tests If The Fruit Is Ripened Naturally Or Artificially
Some vendors hurry the ripening of mangoes by using calcium carbide pouches. Inside the mango crates, the moisture causes this chemical to react and release acetylene gas, which makes the mangoes ripen quicker than normal. To check if mangoes were artificially ripened this way, put them in water. If the mangoes sink, they will ripen naturally. But if they float, it means they were harvested early and ripened unnaturally with chemicals. Avoid buying floating mangoes, as the calcium carbide method can be harmful.
It Reduces Mangoes’ Heat
Mangoes are often blamed for making people hot, causing pimples and rashes, and leading to headaches and feeling sick. But soaking mangoes in water for at least 30 minutes before eating them can reduce how much heat they produce in the body. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, this means mangoes soaked in water won't make your body temperature go up as much after you eat them.
